Verstappen has clear goal in Bahrain: 'At least that can be exciting'

Max Verstappen is set to start the Bahrain Grand Prix only from seventh place on the grid. The Dutchman was not satisfied with the RB21, and voiced his issues in Bahrain.

"All weekend it has been difficult, just struggling on brake feel and stopping power basically. Besides that just also just very difficult grip," the Dutchman began to explain the list of issues he had to deal with so far this weekend to Sky Sports.

"I feel that maybe the tyre grip that we are getting out of the car and that's why also set-up wise we have thrown the car around a lot and nothing really seems to give you a clear direction. So I guess that also shows we are struggling also with other things," the defending world champion continued.

Verstappen looks ahead to Bahrain GP

Verstappen will line up only on the fourth row of the grid on Sunday. Looking ahead, the Dutchman is not too optimistic. "I have no idea how they [the extra set of hard tyres he has saved for the race] will perform. I think it will be quite high deg but also on the hard tyre you have quite low mechanical grip so naturally you will slide a bit more and I have no idea how that will work out. But at least it's an option to have and then we'll see what happens with it," he talked about whether they could have an advantage in terms of strategy.

Does Verstappen believe he can progress at the Bahrain International Circuit? "I don't know. I just try to do my best. It's been a difficult weekend for us. Tomorrow I'll try to get as many points as I can - I mean I do that every single weekend, so it's not like it's any difference tomorrow - but I have no idea where we will be in terms of race pace. We'll be in the middle of the pack so hopefully a bit of excitement," he concluded.

Verstappen's championship rivals, the two McLarens had different qualifying sessions. Oscar Piastri claimed pole position, while Lando Norris only finished in P6. The Briton is currently a single point ahead of Verstappen, and 13 points ahead his teammate Piastri in the drivers' standings.